Which style do you most favor?

[Volund Starfire]

The lightsaber form that I most favor would have to be the Determination Form, The Way of the Sarlaac, also known as Form I: Shii-Cho.

Everyone says that it is a beginners form, but I do not believe that it is entirely a beginners form.  Iaijutsu, Aikido, Kendo, Jenjutsu, and several other Japanese martial arts all begin by teaching the exact same things on how to use the sword.  However, even the most basic concepts soon become masterful with practice.

I am an Aikidoka, a practitioner of Aikido.  Using the bokken work and katas that I have learned in my art, I am able to apply them to the flow and movement styles of Shii-Cho.  Sure, it looks basic, but in my dojo, I taught bokken and jo and enjoyed actually dueling a Kendoka and beating him by one point (I blame dumb luck… um… I mean the Force).

I am in the process of modifying General Sun’s Shii-Cho slightly, much as Master Nonymous has, to include the Aikido moves and movements.  I’ll post it when I get it down and filmed.  Additionally, I plan to modify it big-time to include a saberpike (incorporating much of Jogi I—the Aikido ko kata).

Even though it is the basic form, does not mean that it cannot be advanced.  In the Star Wars Universe, Kit Fisto was a Form I master.  I plan on attaining the same level in my training.

[Darth Nonymous]

The lightsaber form that I most favor would have to be the Determination Form, The Way of the Sarlaac, also known as Form I: Shii-Cho.

Everyone says that it is a beginners form, but I do not believe that it is entirely a beginners form.  Iaijutsu, Aikido, Kendo, Jenjutsu, and several other Japanese martial arts all begin by teaching the exact same things on how to use the sword.  However, even the most basic concepts soon become masterful with practice.

I am an Aikidoka, a practitioner of Aikido.  Using the bokken work and katas that I have learned in my art, I am able to apply them to the flow and movement styles of Shii-Cho.  Sure, it looks basic, but in my dojo, I taught bokken and jo and enjoyed actually dueling a Kendoka and beating him by one point (I blame dumb luck… um… I mean the Force).

I am in the process of modifying General Sun’s Shii-Cho slightly, much as Master Nonymous has, to include the Aikido moves and movements.  I’ll post it when I get it down and filmed.  Additionally, I plan to modify it big-time to include a saberpike (incorporating much of Jogi I—the Aikido ko kata).

Even though it is the basic form, does not mean that it cannot be advanced.  In the Star Wars Universe, Kit Fisto was a Form I master.  I plan on attaining the same level in my training.

I agree that Shii Cho is not necessarily a beginners form. Bu tit is the best place to start and can therefore form the best foundation for the others.

I have posted a video of my practice of Shii-Cho (the freeform) as evidence of this. A simple style can be taken to great heights.

A a side note, I have used Sun's form merely as a visual idea of what folks think of when they think of Shii-Cho. The set is actually adapted from two military weapons sets, (one for long sword and one for Da dao). We even do something very close to it as the introduction to Chinese longsword.

The first section looks almost identical because it is the basic way we start such sets out: Downward strike both sides, horizontal strike both sides, and upward strikes both sides. The last little flourish at the end of the form I adapted a bit and threw in there as a reference to Sun's or at least give people some anchor to identify with it.

 I plan to do a video showing where a lot of my stuff comes from using the actual weapons. I thought it might give some perspective.

[DarthThantos]

I voted for Vappad because whenever im dueling, i have to get my emotions in there.

[BenPass]

TBH I don't really know where I fall. I do know that when I use my Dark Prophecy, I tend to lean towards Makashi. It just seems so much better with the weight/length. Now with my Arbiter, traditional great sword combat so whatever that falls under.

[Master Nero Attoru]

TBH I don't really know where I fall. I do know that when I use my Dark Prophecy, I tend to lean towards Makashi. It just seems so much better with the weight/length. Now with my Arbiter, traditional great sword combat so whatever that falls under.

Yeah man, the Prophecy series is good for that.  Works extremely well with the shorter blades (32" is perfect).  Which is ironic, considering it's inspired by the hilt Anakin has in AOTC (he's a Shien stylist in that movie IIRC).

The longer hilts like the Arbiter have their own perks too, as you noted.  More power and control really, since you get more leverage out of the hilt.  You could probably even utilize a two handed variant of Makashi with such a saber.  Hmmm... a bit of inspiration there...

[KashiAtaru]

After studying the forms extensively, and dueling a little to see what kinds of actions I perform, I think I use Shii-Cho, Makashi, Soresu, and maybe a little of Ataru in my style of fighting. I rely heavily on Shii-Cho for attack as I am mainly a two handed opponent, I like to wield heavy weapons and such things like HG blades, but when I defend I seem to go into a one-handed grip often utilizing Makashi. I like to use Soresu's circle of protection often as a flourish, but many times as momentum for an attack or to block a light attack. And every once in a while I seem to go into an Ataru mindset with the acrobatics and such. I don't know, just putting my two cents here.

The longer hilts like the Arbiter have their own perks too, as you noted.  More power and control really, since you get more leverage out of the hilt.  You could probably even utilize a two handed variant of Makashi with such a saber.  Hmmm... a bit of inspiration there...

@Nero, being a fencer I use Makashi a lot. I'll try a two handed freeform variant and upload a video for you to review. What do you think?-Kashi

[Master Nero Attoru]

@Nero, being a fencer I use Makashi a lot. I'll try a two handed freeform variant and upload a video for you to review. What do you think?-Kashi

You could certainly do that if you'd like, it's something I intend to experiment with.  As a fellow fencer, my natural inclination is to use a single hand in combat, so trying out that particular style with a solid two handed grip could be very interesting, and fun!

[Darth Nonymous]

You could certainly do that if you'd like, it's something I intend to experiment with.  As a fellow fencer, my natural inclination is to use a single hand in combat, so trying out that particular style with a solid two handed grip could be very interesting, and fun!

I am obviously from a different cultural lineage, but I believe weapons development and technique are pretty universal. At least I haven't seen anything different yet.

That being said, I might be able to offer a little advice for integrating a two handed grip if you are coming from a one handed. We  use a system of two hand assists during practice. Often we use a Chuan beng Jian or "long hilt sword". We then start to integrate two hand assists with certain techniques (e.g a down ward chop, Sai in lightsaber parlance).

 it starts to address what i feel is the primary issue when switching from one handed to two, body positioning. It's difficult to get used to what feels like being totally open and square to the opponent when you are used to being able to turn and line up nice and narrow. The two hand assist I have found to be a good stepping stone. You can stay in your customary ready stance and only "open" when attacking.

[Master Nero Attoru]

I am obviously from a different cultural lineage, but I believe weapons development and technique are pretty universal. At least I haven't seen anything different yet.

That being said, I might be able to offer a little advice for integrating a two handed grip if you are coming from a one handed. We  use a system of two hand assists during practice. Often we use a Chuan beng Jian or "long hilt sword". We then start to integrate two hand assists with certain techniques (e.g a down ward chop, Sai in lightsaber parlance).

 it starts to address what i feel is the primary issue when switching from one handed to two, body positioning. It's difficult to get used to what feels like being totally open and square to the opponent when you are used to being able to turn and line up nice and narrow. The two hand assist I have found to be a good stepping stone. You can stay in your customary ready stance and only "open" when attacking.

That's an excellent point Master Nonymous.  The squaring of the body really does throw me off a bit, especially since the en garde position has your torso nearly the opposite.

And I agree to an extent about the technique being universal, but the actual muscle control part is a big stepping stone as well.  Controlling a weapon with two hands has you operating the blade using the two hands in tandem as a lever, whereas the kind of one handed technique used in fencing stresses fine control using the fingers and wrist of a single hand.  It's not insurmountable by any means, it's just an interesting new way to approach it IMO... like a mix of Makashi and Shii-Cho perhaps.

[Solinus]

... I think I use Shii-Cho, Makashi, Soresu, and maybe a little of Ataru in my style of fighting ...

Would this not fall under the Niman style?

Quoted from wookieepedia:

This fighting style was a hybrid martial art created by effectively combining elements of all the preceding lightsaber forms into a single, generalized form.

Original source here: http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Form_VI:_Niman

[FauxSaix]

I've always been passive-aggressive, if aggressive at all.  Soresu, with a touch of Shii-cho.  I've always played the tactician, and been highly reactive in combat, with good reflexes.  But I'm not one for projecting my will, as it were.  Once I've read my opponent's technique and worn them down a little, a precise and basic strike will find its opening.  maybe some makashi if the opponent's defense is tight.

[KashiAtaru]

Would this not fall under the Niman style?

Quoted from wookieepedia:

Original source here: http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Form_VI:_Niman

Technically... Yes. But many times I'll just use two forms in a duel, or three, rarely all forms in a single bout. When I actually use all these forms, then, I guess i practice Niman. Thanks for pointing this out Solinus! I can now adhere to a form with a name. lol-Kashi

[Solinus]

Technically... Yes. But many times I'll just use two forms in a duel, or three, rarely all forms in a single bout. When I actually use all these forms, then, I guess i practice Niman. Thanks for pointing this out Solinus! I can now adhere to a form with a name. lol-Kashi

Ok, so from what I understand of Niman, is that it's a form created from other forms. Not all forms, but from bits and pieces of the others. So while you may not use all forms, I would assume that if you mix techniques from different forms, it would be considered Niman.

Either way, I like it.

[Master VorNach]

Ok, so from what I understand of Niman, is that it's a form created from other forms. Not all forms, but from bits and pieces of the others. So while you may not use all forms, I would assume that if you mix techniques from different forms, it would be considered Niman.

There has been a discussion elsewhere about each of the 7 Forms being skill sets of a single martial art (light saber fighting), where the emphasis an individual takes is dependent on the practitioners body structure, background interests and opponent. I think I have more to say about this but I'm really tired right now and am not putting together the coherent thoughts I'd like to present. More later.

[Keln Lokin]

Ataru, all the way. It's a very aggressive and active form, most always on the offensive. I started my training in swordplay as a fencer, and I've always preferred to move a lot and set my opponent off balance, while dodging attacks and trying to strike quickly.